X Games will have its first livestreamed VR events next week

ESPN has announced that for the first time ever, the X Games will have events livestreamed on VR, something that will be done in collaboration with Samsung. The livestreaming VR events will be available only on the Gear VR platform, and they’ll take place for the inaugural X Games in Minneapolis. Gear VR users in 48 countries will have access to the livestreamed VR events, which will include skateboarding and BMX.

A total of three events from X Games Minneapolis 2017 will be broadcast on the Gear VR: the Skateboard Street Amateurs, Skateboard Vert, and BMX Street. These will take place on July 13 through July 16; you’ll need the Samsung VR app to watch them in virtual reality. Of course, the VR broadcast will be made possible due to the use of 360-degree cameras.

ESPN explains that the VR broadcasts will be multi-camera live experiences, and that viewers will be seeing real-time graphics alongside feature segments and talent. This is all made possible in part by Digital Domain, which has been tapped by Samsung and ESPN to deal with the production.

If you want to tune in with your own Gear VR headset, you can do so on July 13 starting at 6:45PM ET for the Skateboard Vert event, followed by BMX Street on July 14 at 6PM ET, and Skateboard Street Amateurs on July 15 at 6PM ET. There will also be 2D broadcasts at various times for those without the VR headset. Check out the timeline below for recent Gear VR news!